Match preview: Getafe vs. Atlético

Atlético head south for a crucial battle for European qualification

Diego Forlán shakes hands with Pedro León after 1-0 loss to los Azulones last year (Colchonero.com)

Atlético return to action on Wednesday evening and it’s not to take part in a European competition. Los Rojiblancos make the short trip south to face off against neighbouring Getafe for a light version of the Derbi Madrileño in a rare midweek Liga matchday.

Atleti are coming off a mixed run of results, with a loss, win and draw in their last three encounters. Quique’s men rallied back twice to tie Sevilla in a thrilling clash at the Calderón this past Saturday that ended in a 2-2 draw.

“We deserved the victory but in the end came away with a draw,” defender Alvaro Dominguez told the club’s official site after Monday’s training session. “All things considered, if we beat Getafe, that draw would not be a bad result.”

The 21-year-old, who returned to the starting XI in our last game after a long spell on the bench, is aware of how crucial our next matches against Getafe and Villarreal are.

“We have two games in few days that could decide the future of the team,” he said. “We’re aware of that and we’re going to give everything.”

Quique finally seems to be settling on his best XI and can repeat a starting line-up for the first time in 69 league matches. The only change in the fold against Sevilla from the previous match was Dominguez’s inclusion in the back line in place of Luis Perea.

Elias and Mario return to match selection
The Rojiblanco boss has left out Fran Merida from the match selection for the second straight game. Filipe Luis and Tomas Ujfalusi will be joining the Catalan youngster in the stands for the match against Getafe. The Brazilian was left off through tactical reasons, the Czech due to a sore right knee.

Midfielders Mario Suarez and Elias will be traveling to Getafe after being left out of the squad that played against Sevilla.

Getafe are direct rivals for seventh place
Winless in their last three matches (one loss, two draws), los Azulones are just two points behind Atleti in the league table in tenth place with realistic aspirations of landing the seventh and last Europa League qualification spot.

“Atletico are an opponent to respect,” Getafe midfielder Javi Casquero was quoted as saying by ESPN Soccernet. “With Kun, Forlan and Reyes, they pack a good punch. They can win a game at any moment.

“They deserve all our respect, but they are a side that we’ve already beaten at the Coliseum.”

The playmaker was referring to our last visit to the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez in January of 2010, which finished in a 1-0 defeat. Atleti youth product Manu netted the match-winner in a game where Assuncao saw red in the 68th minute.

Back in mid-October, we defeated Míchel’s men 2-0 at the Calderón with goals by Simao and Diego Costa.